Horatio a



(No Model.)

H. Ai FOSTER.

\ y SWITCH BOX.

Patented Oct. 13, 1891.

W/TNESSES UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HORATIO A. FOSTER, OF NElV YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JOHN T.MOORE, OF SAME PLACE.

SWITCH-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 461,239, dated October13, 1891.

Application filed October 24, 1890. Serial No. 369,196. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom, it may concern.:

Be it known that I, HoRA'rIo A. FOSTER, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of New York, in the county of and State of New York, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Switch-Boxes, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My improvement relates, particularly, to subway switch-boxes, wherein itis desirable to exclude moisture and to thoroughly insulate the parts,at the same time allowing ready operation of the switch and an easyaccess to the interior of the box for adjustments, repairs, ttc.

To these ends my invention consists in the method of constructingcertain parts and in the several apparatus constructed, arranged, andcombined in the manner herein shown, described, and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is anelevation of my complete apparatus. Fig. 2 is a section of one type ofthe same. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are detail views.

Like letters of reference indicatelike parts in the several views.

B B are the switch-boxes in position. They may be placed in anyconvenient locality and used for any system of conductors. I have,however, in Fig. l shown them in use under the roadbed and under thesidewalk,\vl1ere they receive the conductors from the distributing orsection box O through pipes D.

In Figs. 2, 3, and 4t are shown the various parts and attachments. Thedetails of the switch itself being immaterial are for greater clearnessmerelyindicated by V in Fig. 2, and one well-known form of switch isshown in Fig. 5.

On one or more faces of the box are nipples K, to each of which may bethreaded or otherwise secured the conductor-pipes I).

For introducing my conductors I first bore holes L in the nipples ofsuch size as to snugly iit the rubber or other insulation N of theconductors. I then lay bare the insulation N and cover it with rubber orother cement capable of causing it to closely adhere to the sides of theholes L, or I may simply wet the surface of the rubber with benzine orlike solvent of rubber. After this I introduce the wire and insulationinto the respective holes, where they are presently firmly secured bythe cement. Instead of this l may cement my junction after inserting thecond uctorby applying heat, as by a blow-pipe, to the nipple. By thiscementingI obtain a simple yet secure junction of my conductors an dswitchbox that not only firmly secures and insulates my conductors, butalso effectually seals the junction against the admission of moistureand gases.

In practice I usually select conductors` having an inner insulation ofthe best rubber, wrapped or braided in the usual way and protected by alead cover M. I also find that if the bare insulation N be forced intothe hole L the pressure and the expansion at the ends of the hole servefirmly to retain the conductor. These several parts are clearly shown inFig. 3, where also it is to be noticed that the sharp edges of the holesL are carefully rounded off to prevent abrasion of the insulation. Inmany cases, as for housewires, neither lead covering M nor piping D isneeded and may be accordingly` omitted. This is shown in Fig. 1. If -anipple K be not in use, it will be preferably closed by a washer 7c andcap 7c. Y

From the upper side of my switch-box extends the piping E, containing myswitch-operating device. The upper end of this is closed by a screw-plugG, covered and protected by the surface-trap F, of any desired form. Thelower end of tube E, I screw to the threaded nipple S, though many otherways will be equally applicable. This nipple S is shown in detailin Fig.4. The center is bored out to form a stuffing and insulating box for myswitch-rod H, and within are placed the flanged insulating sleeves S',projecting above and below the nipple, with the elastic insulating-ringS interposed between the fianges. Around the upper insulated sleeve isnow placed the externally-threaded follower-nut S", which fits a threadin the nipple and when screwed down expands the packing' S closelyaround the switch-rod. This rod extends upward nearly to the end of thepiping E, where, after passing through any desirable number ofinsulating-guides J, it tcrminates in a nut I, of size equal to that ofScrew-plug G, while its lower end carries the moving parts of theswitch.'

I fill my tube E with a heavy insulatingoilsuch as resin-oil-to somewhatabove the level of the head ol' my switch-rod. Thus any water that mayaccumulate in thehhead of the tube will be quite harmless, as it cannotcome in contact with the rod. It will nowbe seen that, closing my boxbya closelyiitting plate secured by bolts t), I have ahermetically-sealed and thoroughly-insulating case inclosing my switchand an operatingrod projecting into convenient proximity to the surfaceequally well insulated.

To operate my switch, it is only necessary to lift the trap F, unscrewthe plug G, and, inserting the same handle used for plug G into the oil,turn the nut I. The plug may then be put back andtrap closed.

Vhen access to the switch is desired, it is, in case the box is in thearea-way under the sidewalk or in a man-hole, merely necessary to removethe side to fully expose the parts. The box may be also embedded in theroadway, as its working parts are thoroughly protected, and will then beuncovered only when repairs, renewals, adjustments, orlike mattersrequire it.

By my simple method of securing the couductors and switch-rod I amenabled to make up my boxes at very small cost and adapt 4them to manylocations where other boxes would be neither convenient nor reliable.

I have not set forth any separate means of supporting my boxes. Vherethey are embedded there is no other support needed, and where they areused in area-ways simple attachment of any sort or even that afforded bythe pipes E and D, when these are both present, will usually suffice.This matter is not, however, material andl may be arranged as theexigencies of each case may require.

I am aware that stuffing-boxes have been used with insulated conductors,and I do not show or claim such feature. Indeed, by my cemented junctionthey are rendered unnecessary. I am not, however, aware that bothinsulating and stuffing boxes for metallic rods have been formed in onein the manner I have set forth. I am also aware that many modiiicationsin the details of my devices may arise as various uses suggest. I have,however, fully set forth one form of each and how the same may be madeand operated; and therefore I claim, without limiting myself to furtherdetailsl. In combination, a herlnetically-closed box, an electricalmechanism therein, an operating-rod therefor projecting from the box andterminating in a nut, a packing-box therefor, a tube surrounding theprojecting part of said rod and filled to above the head of the rod withan insulating-liquid, a plug for closing the head of said tube, a trapforprotecting the tube and plug secured to the upper end of the tube,and insulating-conductors leading from said mechanism throughsnugly-fitting orifices and cemented therein, as set forth.

2. In combination, a closed box, a switch therein, an operating-rodextending from the box, a chamber filled with insulating-liquidsurrounding said rod, means for closing said chamber, and insulatedconductors leading from said switch and box through orifices in whichthey are closely cemented, substantially as set forth.

The combination of a rod or wire, two ianged insulating-sleeves, astuffing-ring interposed between the flanges, a stuffing-box inclosin gthe flanges, a packing-nut surrounding one sleeve, and a flange in thebox surrounding the other, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination of a conductor and its insulating-covering with awall having an orifice therein snugly fitting the said insulation andcemented thereto, substantially as set forth.

5. The method of forming and securing the junctions of conductors andswitch-boxes, which consists in laying bare the insulating medi um aboutthe conductor, forming a snugly-titting oritice therefor, and cementingthe insulated conductor in the orifice so formed, substantially as setforth.

G. The method of securing the junction of conductor and switch-box wall`which consists in wetting the surface of the insulated conductor with accmenting-fiuid, inserting the insulated conductorin a snugly-fittedoritice, and cementing it therein, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination `of a closed box, a switch-operating rod extendingtherefrom, and a chamber of insulating-liquid surrounding said rod andin which the upper end of the rod is wholly immersed, substantially asset forth.

8. rlhe combination of a closed subway switch-box having anoperating-rod extending upward through suitable packing toward thesurface and inclosed bya tube terminating in a trap at or about thesurface filled with an insulating-liquid, means for closing the tube,and means for operating the switchrod, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination of a closed subway switch-box, an operating-rodextending therefrom to or near the surface, and a protect` ing-tubesurrounding the said rod and terminating in a surface trap,substantially as set forth.

lO. The combination of a main distributing-box,a subway switch-boxconnected therewith, and means for operating the switch extending fromthe switch-box to the surface, inclosed in and protected by a chamber ortube extending from the switch-box tothe surfaceand terminating in asurface trap, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand, this 20th day of October,1890, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HORATIO A. FOSTER.

Vitnesses:

I. W. HENRY, BERNARD Ln'vnx.

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